Duke hires Manny Diaz: Penn State defensive coordinator has previous ACC experience at Miami

Duke has Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz as its next coach, the team announced Thursday. Diaz just wrapped up his second season on coach James Franklin’s staff as the No. 10 Nittany Lions prepare to face No. 11 Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl on Dec. 30. 

“Manny’s previous experiences have prepared him for this opportunity, and he is, quite simply, an outstanding football coach who will capitalize on the positive momentum of this program,” Duke athletic director Nina King said in a press release. “An elite communicator and collaborator, Manny possesses the dynamic ability to cultivate impactful relationships with internal and external constituents surrounding a successful football program. As Duke’s head football coach, I am confident that Manny will lead the young men in our program to reach and surpass their aspirations of achievement both on and off the field.”

Under Diaz, Penn State’s defense finished the regular season atop the FBS, limiting opponents to 223.3 yards on average. The Nittany Lions were also third in scoring defense at an average of 11.4 points allowed, only trailing Big Ten foes Ohio State and Michigan, which served as Penn State’s only two defeats in 2023. Diaz’s unit previously finished No. 16 in total defense among FBS teams during the 2022 season as the Nittany Lions ended the year with a Rose Bowl victory against Utah. 

“We are grateful and humbled for this opportunity and could not be more excited to be the head football coach at Duke University,” Diaz said in a press release. “I’d like to give a special thanks to Dr. Price and Nina for their trust in me and our family as well as a true commitment to this program. Duke University is an elite institution in every facet, and we are excited to be a part of it….

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/duke-hires-manny-diaz-penn-state-defensive-coordinator-has-previous-acc-experience-at-miami/

Author : Dean Straka

Publish date : 2023-12-08 15:21:05

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